Alexis Kaili’s Nepal SEEDS Documentary

“With the help and support of the Capstone Initiatives program, I was able to put theoretical education from the classroom into practice during a summer learning abroad program in Nepal. The Himalayan Film program, led by faculty member Amy Bronson, gave five students including myself the opportunity to immerse ourselves in a developing country with a strong culture and welcoming people. Alexis Moon, Kennidy Hassell, Morgan Victorine, Mia Mortensen and I trekked to a rural village just outside of the country’s capital Kathmandu to gather footage and understand village life post-earthquake. For my capstone experience, we created a short documentary film which showcases the health and welfare initiatives of the local non-profit Nepal S.E.E.D.S (Social Environmental Educational Development Service). The Ivory Homes Capstone Initiatives fund made it possible for me to engage in an entrepreneurial approach in documentary filmmaking through real world application. Giving underprivileged individuals a voice through digital storytelling has been a keystone piece of my undergraduate education at the university. As I look forward to graduate school, I recognize that this experience has given me a new perspective on what it means to be an active citizen in my community and be part of our larger global village.”-